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American-backed Syrian rebels are calling on the West to send them shoulder-held anti-aircraft missiles — stingers — to help them counter a blistering air offensive by Russian helicopters.

The plea came as fresh supplies of American-made anti-tank missiles, which have played a key role in the rebels’ battle against the regime, arrived in Syria for the first time since Russia’s intervention. TOWs — tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles — have been supplied to vetted rebel groups over the past two years as part of a covert CIA programme.

Rebels under attack in Hama and Homs have posted multiple videos of themselves using the missiles